Redefining Grandparenting in Autism: A Qualitative Study of Emotional Experience and Role of Grandparents

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to explore the emotional experience and the specific role of grandparents of a child with autism. Background Grandparents are recognized as an important source of family support to maintain family balance, especially in families of a child diagnosed with autism. When facing autism, the experience of grandparents may be reshaped to fit with new expectations and family dynamics; however, this experience is less defined in the literature. Method Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 10 French grandparents of a 4‐ to 14‐year‐old child diagnosed with autism. Using a thematic analysis, we identified themes related to the role of grandparents, their emotional experience, and their needs, and embedded them in the Family Stress and Resilience Model. Results Using thematic analysis, we identified three themes as stressors, five themes as resources either to support the grandparents or as them being resources for the family role, and two themes reflecting grandparents' perception of the stressors. Conclusion These findings underline the important role of grandparents in the lives of families of children with autism and provide suggestions to better support them by acknowledging their emotional experience and needs. Implications Implementing discussion groups and peer mentoring among grandparents of children with similar needs and abilities could contribute to support families. Given the substantial involvement of many grandparents, raising awareness among professionals about the central role grandparents play in supporting families could encourage the inclusion of grandparents in the care pathway and alleviate some pressure from the family system.